In Memoriam: Terry L. Scarborough

A Mentor, Trial Lawyer, and Force of Nature

Our firm mourns the loss of Terry L. Scarborough, but even more, we honor the extraordinary legacy he leaves behind—one built not only on a storied trial career, but on the countless lawyers he shaped through mentorship, example, and unvarnished truth.

Terry was, at his core, a teacher. He believed the law was learned not just from books or briefs, but from presence—showing up prepared, pushing harder than expected, and taking responsibility for outcomes. He taught us that litigation is never passive: it’s always about who is leaning on whom. Plaintiff or defendant, it didn’t matter. You go hard. You commit. You make the other side feel your preparation.

Terry’s lessons were often delivered in the form of unforgettable expressions—statements that carried wisdom far beyond their words.

“When the phone don’t ring, I’ll know it’s you,” he would say. Terry's way of calling out lawyers and decision‑makers who dodged responsibility by refusing to return calls. It was a reminder that credibility matters, and that in this profession, your word—and your responsiveness—are part of your reputation.

“Wait to worry,” was another favorite—guidance to stay focused on the work in front of you, conserve your energy, and deal with problems when they actually arrive, not imagined ones.

He taught us to be aggressive, but never careless. To be confident, but never sloppy. To respect the courtroom, the jury, and the work itself. Terry believed preparation was a form of integrity—and he expected it from himself and from anyone lucky enough to work with him.

As a mentor, Terry was generous with his time and exacting with his standards. He challenged young lawyers to think bigger, stand taller, and stop second-guessing their instincts once the work was done. If he leaned on you, it was because he believed you could take it—and because he knew pressure was how excellence is forged.

Beyond the courtroom, Terry modeled what it meant to be fully committed: to family, to partners, to friends, and to the life he built through discipline and purpose. His presence was unmistakable, his voice memorable, and his influence enduring.

Terry lives on in the lawyers he trained, the confidence he instilled, and the lessons we still hear—sometimes word for word—when we prepare for trial or counsel a client.

We will miss him deeply. We will honor him best by practicing law the way he taught us: prepared, aggressive, principled, and always leaning forward.